UPDATE 1-SAfrica govt, Amplats, unions agree to postpone job cuts

January 28, 2013|Reuters

JOHANNESBURG, Jan 28 (Reuters) - South Africa, AngloAmerican Platinum and labour unions have agreed topostpone a restructuring exercise that could lead to 14,000 jobcuts to allow for more talks, the minerals department said.

"The parties resolved to postpone the continuation of the... process ... to allow for a detailed consultation process totake place," the department said on Monday, adding this shouldtake no more than 60 days from Jan. 30.

"The tripartite members recommitted to engage constructivelyfor the benefit of all stakeholders and will communicateprogress updates as and when appropriate," it said.

Mining minister Susan Shabangu said the world's biggestproducer of platinum betrayed government trust earlier thismonth by announcing a plan to mothball shafts and lay off workers under a restructuring by parent company Anglo American.

Last week, President Jacob Zuma said the government neededto engage with gold and platinum mining firms about proposedshaft closures and lay-offs, and was not threatening them withlicence reviews.